The New Constitution 



A suggested form of 
Modified Constitution 



New York, May 24, 1915 



Copyright, 1915, by Eustace Reynolds. 



MAy27hJii) 






The New Constitution 



Benjamin Franklin says somewhere in his autobiography 
"I have always thought that one man of tolerable abilities 
may work great changes, and accomplish great affairs among 
mankind, if he first forms a good plan; and cutting off all 
amusements or other employments that would divert his at- 
tention, makes the execution of that same plan his sole 
study and business." 

Acting on this suggestion I beg to submit the following 
modified form of our Constitution: 

We, the people of the United States, in order to es- 
tablish justice, insure domestic and foreign tranquillity, 
promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings 
of liberty and peace to ourselves and our posterity, do 
ordain and establish this Constitution of the United 
States of America. 

ARTICLE I. 

Section 1. All legislative powers herein granted shall be 
vested in a congress of the United States, which sihall consist 
of a Senate and House of Representatives. 

Section 2. The House of Representatives shall be com- 
posed of members chosen every second year by the people 
of the several states, and the electors in each state shall have 
the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numer- 
ous branch of the state legislature; but no sex qualification 
shall he required; nor shall any person who shall not have 
attained to the age of twenty-five years be eligible to vote; 
and no person who shall be unable to read and write shall 
be qualified to vote. 

No person shall be a representative who shall not have 
attained to the age of twenty-five years, and been seven years 
a citizen of the United States, who shall not, when elected 
be an inhabitant of that state in which he shall be chosen. 

Representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned 
among the several states which may be included within this 
Union, according to their respective numbers, excluding In- 
dians not taxed. The actuM enumeration shall be made with- 



in every term of ten years, in such manner as Congress shall 
by law direct. The number of representatives shall 
not exceed one for every thirty thousand, but each State shall 
have at least one representative. 

When vacancies happen in the representation from any 
state, the executive authority thereof shall issue writs of 
election to fill such vacancies. 

The House of Representatives shall choose their speaker 
and other officers; and shall have the sole power of impeach- 
ment. 

Section 3. The Senate of the United States shall be com- 
posed of two senators from each state, chosen at large by 
the people thereof, for six years; and each senator shall 
have one vote. 

The electors in each state shall have the qualifications 
requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the 
State Legislature; but no sex qualification shall be re- 
quired; nor shall any person who shall not have attained 
to the age of twenty-five years be eligible to vote; and no 
person who shall be unable to read and write shall be qual- 
ified to vote. 

If vacancies should happen by resignation, or otherwise, 
in the representation from any state, the executive of that 
state may make temporary appointments until the next 
election for representatives in congress shall be held when 
such vacancies shall be filled by the people. 

No person shall be a senator who shall not have attained 
to the age of thirty years, and been nine years a citizen of 
the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an 
inhabitant of that state for which he shall be chosen. 

The vice-president of the United States representing the 
people of the United States in conjunction with the vice- 
roys and vice-presidents, who shall be the duly authorized 
representatives of other sovereigns, in council assembled, 
shall be vested with power, subject to the approval of the 
under-secretaries of state and deputy-ministers for foreign 
affairs in council assembled, to make and promulgate de- 
crees in all matters affecting international intercourse, 
commerce, affairs, or relations. The approval of the house 
of under-secretaries of state and deputy-ministers for for- 
eign affairs shall be signified by a majority vote of those 



present. The counsel of viceroys and vice-presidents com- 
posed as before mentioned jointly with the house of under- 
secretaries of state and deputy-ministers for foreign affairs 
shall have power to regVLl&te commerce with foreign na- 
tions; — to define and punish piracies and felonies committed 
on the high seas, and offences against the law of nations; — 
and to make and promulgate decrees which shall be neces- 
sary and proper to carry into execution the foregoing pow- 
ers, and all other powers vested in them. 

The senate shall choose their president and other offi- 
cers, and also a president jyro tempore, in the absence of the 
president. 

The senate shall have the sole power to try all impeach- 
ments. When sitting for that purpose, they shall be on oath 
or aflSrmation. When the president of the United States is 
tried, the chief justice shall preside; and no person shall be 
convicted without the concurrence of two-thirds of the mem- 
bers present. 

Judgment in cases of impeachment shall not extend fur- 
ther than to removal from office, and disqualification to hold 
and enjoy any office of honor, trust or profit under the United 
St-ates: but the party convicted shall nevertheless be liable 
and subject to indictment, trial, judgment and punishment, 
according to the law. 

Section 4. The times, places, and manner of holding 
elections for senators and representatives shall be prescribed 
in each state by the Legislature thereof; but the congress 
may at any time by law make or alter such regulations. 

The congress shall assemble at least once in every year, 
and such meetings shall be on the first Monday in Decem- 
ber, unless they shall by law appoint a different day. 

Section 5. Each house sihall be the judge of the elec- 
tions, returns and qualifications of its members, and a ma- 
jority of each shall constitute a quorum to do business ; but 
a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and may 
be authorized to compel the attendance of absent members, 
in such manner, and under such penalties as each house 
may provide. 

Each house may determine the rules of its proceedings, 
punish its members for disorderly behavior, and with the 
concurrence of two-thirds, expel a member. 

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Each house shall keep a journal of its proceedings, and 
from time to time publish the same, excepting such parts as 
may in their judgment require secrecy; and the yeas and 
nays of the members of either house on any question shall, 
at the desire of one-fifth of those present, be entered on the 
journal. 

Neither house, during the session of congress, shall, with- 
out the consent of the other, adjourn for more than three 
days, nor to any other place than that in which the two 
houses shall be sitting. 

Section 6. The senators and representatives shall re- 
ceive a compensation for their service, to be ascertained by 
law, and paid out of the treasury of the United States. They 
shall in all cases, except treason, felony and breach of the 
peace be privileged from arrest during their attendance at 
the session of tlieir respective houses, and in going to and 
returning from the same; and for any si)eech or debate in 
either house, they shall not be questioned in any other 
place. 

No senator or representative shall, during the time for 
which he was elected, be appointed to any civil office under 
the authority of the United States, which shall have been 
created, or the emoluments whereof shall have been increas- 
ed during such time ; and no person holding any office under 
the United States, shall be a member of either house during 
his continuance in office. 

Section 7. All bills for raising revenue shall originate 
in the house of representatives ; but the senate may propose 
or concur with amendments as on other bills. 

Every bill which shall have passed the house of represen- 
tatives and the senate, shall, before it become a law, be pre- 
sented to the president of the United States ; if he approve he 
shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his objec- 
tions, to that house in which it shall have originated, which 
shall enter the objections at large on its journal, and pro- 
ceed to reconsider it. If, after such reconsideration, two- 
thirds of a quorum of that house shall agree to pass the 
bill, it shall be sent, together with the objections, to the 
other house, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and 
if approved by two-thirds of a quorum of that house, it shall 



become a law. But in all such cases the votes of both houses 
shall be determined by yeas and nays, and the names of the 
persons voting for and against the bill shall be entered on 
the journal of each house respectively. If any bill shall not 
be returned by the president within ten days (Sundays ex- 
cepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the same 
shall be a law, in like manner as if he had signed it, unless 
the congress by its adjournment prevents its return, in which 
case it shall not be a law. 

Every order, resolution or vote to which the concurrence 
of the senate and the house of representatives may be nec- 
essary (except on a question of adjournment) shall be pre- 
sented to the president of the United States; and before the 
same shall take effect, shall be approved by him, or being 
disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two-thirds of the 
senate and house of representatives, according to rules and 
limitations prescribed in the case of a bill. 

Section 8. The congress shall have power: — to lay and 
collect taxes, duties and excises; — to pay the debts and pro- 
vide for the general welfare of the United States, but all 
duties and excises shall be uniform throughout the United 
States ; — to borrow money on the credit of the United States ; 
— to regulate commerce among the several states, and with 
the Indian tribes ; — to establish an uniform rule of natural- 
ization, and uniform laws on the subject of bankruptcies 
throughout the United States; — to coin money, regulate the 
value thereof, and of foreign coins, and fix the standard of 
weights and measures; — to provide for the punishment of 
counterfeiting the securities and current coin of the United 
States; — to establish post offices and post roads; — to pro- 
mote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing 
for limited times to authors and inventors the exclusive 
right to their respective writings and discoveries; — to con- 
stitute tribunals inferior to the supreme court; — to provide 
for calling forth the militia, to execute the laws of the 
union, suppress insurrections and repel invasions; — to pro- 
vide for organizing, arming, and disciplining the militia, and 
for governing such part of them as may be employed in 
the service of the United States, reserving to the States, re- 
spectively, the appointment of the officers and the authori- 
ties of training the militia according to the discipline pre- 

* 5 



scribed by congress; — to exercise exclusive ledslation in 
all cases whatsoever, over such districts (not exceeding ten 
miles square) as may, by cession of particular states, and 
the acceptance of congress, become the seat of the govern- 
ment of the United States, and to exercise like authority 
over all places purchased by the consent of the legislature 
of the State in w-^hich the same shall be, for the erection of 
forts, magazines, arsenals, dock yards, and other needful 
buildings; — and to make all laws which shall be necessary 
and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers, 
and all the powers vested by this constitution in the gov- 
ernment of the United States or in any department or of- 
ficer thereof. 

Section 9. No tax or duty shall be laid on articles ex- 
ported from or imported into the United States, except 
what may be absolutely necessary for executing their in- 
spection laws. 

The privilege of the w^rit of habeas corpus shall not be 
suspended, unless when in cases of rebellion or invasion 
the public safety may require it. 

No bill of attainder or ex post facto law shall be passed. 

No capitation, or other direct tax, shall be laid, unless 
in proportion to the census or enumeration hereinbefore 
directed to be taken. 

No tax or duty sihall be laid on articles exported from 
any state. 

No preference shall be given by any regulation of com- 
merce or revenue to the ports of one state or another; nor 
shall vessels bound to, or from, one state, be obliged to 
enter, clear or pay duties in another. 

No money shall be drawn from the treasury but in 
consequence of appropriation made by law; and a regular 
statement and account of the receipts and expenditures of 
all public money shall be published from time to time. 

No title of nobility shall be granted by the United States; 
and no person holding any oflSce of profit or trust under 
them, shall, without the consent of the congress, accept of 
any present, emolument, office or title, of any kind what- 
ever, from any king, prince, or foreign state. 

Section 10. Neither congress nor any state shall enter 
into any treaty, alliance, or confederation; or grant let- 

6 



ters of marque and reprisal. No state shall coin money; 
emit bills for credit; make anything but gold and silver coin 
a tender in payment of debts. Neither congress nor any 
state shall pass any bill of attainder, eao post facta law, or 
law impairing the obligation of contracts, or grant any 
title of nobility. No person nominated for or holding any 
office under the United States shall vote, taut any state may 
permit such person to vote at any state election for candi- 
dates for state offices or upon state issues. No state shall 
lay any imposts or duties on imports or exports, except 
what may be absolutely necessary for executing its inspec- 
tion laws; and the net produce of all duties and imposts, 
laid by any state on imports or exports, shall be for the 
use of the treasury of the United States ; and all such laws 
sihall be subject to the revision and control of the congress. 
Neither congress or any state shall lay any duty of ton- 
nage, keep troops or ships of war in time of peace, enter 
into any agreement or contract with another state, or with 
a foreign power, or engage in war, unless actually in- 
vaded, or in such imminent danger as will not admit of 
delay. 

ARTICLE II. 

Section 1. The executive power shall be vested in a 
President of the United States of America. He shall hold 
his office during the term of six years and not tae eligible 
for re-election, and together with the vice-president, chos- 
en for the same term and upon the same condition, be 
elected as follows: — 

Each state shall appoint, in such manner as the legis- 
lature thereof may direct, a number of electors, equal to the 
whole number of senators and representatives to which 
the state may be entitled in the congress : but no senator, or 
representative, or person holding an office of trust or profit 
under the United States, shall be appointed an elector. 

The electors shall meet in their respective states, and 
vote by ballot for president and vice-president, one of whom 
at least shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with 
themselves ; they shall name in their ballots the person voted 
for as president, and in district ballots the person voted for 
as vice-president, and they shall make district lists of all 



persons voted for as president, and of all persons voted for 
as vice-president, and of the number of votes for each, which 
lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed, to the 
seat of the government of the United States, directed to 
the president of the senate; — the president of the senate 
shall, in presence of the senate and house of representa- 
tives, open all the certificates, and the votes shall then be 
counted; — the person having the greatest number of votes 
for president shall be the president, if such number be 
a majority of the whole number of electors appointed; and if 
DO person have such majority, then from the persons having 
the highest number not exceeding three on the list of those 
voted for as president, the house of representatives shall 
choose immediately, by ballot, the president. But in choos- 
ing the president, the votes shall be taken by states, the 
representation from each state having one vote; a quorum for 
this purpose shall consist of a. member or members from 
two-thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states 
shall be necessary to a choice. And if the house of repre- 
sentatives shall not choose a president whenever the right of 
choice shall devolve upon them before the fourth day of June 
next following, then the vice-president shall act as presi- 
dent, as in the case of the death or other constitutional dis- 
ability of the president. 

The person having the greatest number of votes as vice- 
president shall be the vice-president, if such number be a 
majority of the whole number of electors appointed; and if 
no person have a majority, then from the two highest 
numbers on the list, the senate shall choose the vice-pres- 
ident; a quorum for the purpose shall consist of two-thirds 
of the whole number of senators, and a majority of the 
whole number shall be necessary to a choice. 

But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of 
president shall be eligible to that of vice-president of the 
United States. 

The congress may determine the time of choosing the 
electors, and the day on which they shall give their votes; 
which day shall be the same throughout the United States. 

No person except a natural born citizen shall be eligible 
to the office of president; neither shall any person be eligible 
to that office who sihall not have attained to the age of 

8 



thirty-five years, and been fourteen years a resident of the 
United States. 

In case of the removal of the president from office, or of 
his death, resignation, or inability to discharge the powers 
and duties of the said office, the same shall devolve on the 
vice-president, and the congress may by law provide for 
the case of removal, death, resignation, or inability, both of 
the president and vice-president, declaring what officer shall 
then act as president, and such officer shall act accordingly, 
until the disability be removed, or a president shall be 
elected. 

The president shall at stated times receive for his ser- 
vices a compensation, which shall neither be increased or 
diminisihed during the period for which he shall have been 
elected, and he shall not receive within that period any other 
emolument from the United States, or any of them. 

Before he enter on the execution of his office, he shall 
take the following oath or affirmation : — 

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully 
execute the office of president of the United States, and will 
to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the 
constitution of the United States." 

Section 2, The president shall be commander-in-chief 
of the militia of the several states, when called into the ac- 
tual service of the United States; he may require the opin- 
ion, in writing, of the principal officer in each of the execu- 
tive departments upon any subject relating to the duties 
of their respective offices, and he shall have power to grant 
reprieves and pardons for offences against the United States, 
except in cases of impeachment. 

He shall have power, by and with the advice and con- 
sent of the senate, to appoint an under-secretary of state 
for foreign affairs, who, in conjunction with the under- 
secretaries of state or deputy-ministers for foreign affairs 
representing the executive heads of other nations in coun- 
cil assembled, shall be vested with power, subject to the 
approval of the council of viceroys and vice-presidents to 
make and promulgate decrees in all matters appertaining 
to international intercourse, commerce, affairs or relations. 
The president shall nominate, and by and with the advice 

* 9 



and consent of the senate, shall appoint judges of the su- 
preme court, and all other officers of the United States, 
where appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, 
and which shall be established by law; but the congress may 
by law vest the appointment of such inferior officers as 
they think proper, in the president alone, in the courts of 
law, or in the heads of departments. 

The president shall have power to fill up all vacancies 
that may happen during the recess of the senate, by granting 
commissions which shall expire at the end of their next 
session. 

Section 3. He shall from time to time give to the con- 
gress information of the state of the Union, and recom- 
mend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge 
necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary occa- 
sions, convene both houses, or either of them, and in case 
of disagreement between them, with respect to the time of 
adjournment, he may adjourn them to such time as he 
shall think proper ; he shall take care that the laws be faith- 
fully executed, and shall commission all the officers of the 
United States. 

Section 4. The president, vice-president, and all civil 
officers of the United States, shall be removed from office, 
on impeachment for, and conviction of, treason, bribery, or 
other high crimes and misdemeanor. 

ARTICLE III. 

Section 1. The judicial power of the United States shall 
be vested in one supreme court, in foreign affairs acting in 
conjunction with the highest tribunals of foreign na- 
tions, and in such inferior courts as the congress may from 
time to time ordain and establish. The judges, both of the 
supreme and inferior courts, shall hold their offices during 
good behavior, and shall, at stated times, receive for their 
services a compensation which shall not be diminished dur- 
ing their continuance in office. The chief justice of the 
United States shall assign from time to time one of the 
justices of the Supreme court to sit with the members of 
the highest tribunals of other nations, respectively and 
severally designated by the presiding officers of those 

10 



courts, (each chief or presiding justice appointing one 
judge so to sit) en banc and pass upon international ques- 
tions as they come properly before the court for adjudica- 
tion. 

Section 2. The judicial power shall extend to all cases, 
in law and equity, arising under this constitution, the laws 
of the United States, and the decrees of the council of vice- 
roys and vice-presidents and the house of under-secretaries 
of state and deputy-ministers of foreign affairs: — to all 
cases of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction; — to contro- 
versies to which the United States shall be a party ; — to con- 
troversies between two or more states, between citizens of 
different states and between the citizens of a state and for- 
eign states, citizens or subjects. 

In all cases in which a state shall be a party, the su- 
preme court shall have original jurisdiction. In all the 
other cases before mentioned, the supreme court shall have 
appellate jurisdiction, both as to law and fact, with such 
exceptions, and under such regulations as the congress 
shall make; but in all controversies between a state, or 
the citizens thereof, and foreign states, and between the 
citizens of a state and the citizens or subjects of a foreign 
state, an appeal shall lie to the international tribunal com- 
posed of one judge from the highest tribunal of each na- 
tion including the United States Supreme Court and the 
international tribunal shall have the benefit of the judi- 
cial process of the United States for the enforcement of its 
mandates and decrees, but no notice to attend and testify 
under penalty for non compliance shall be directed to the 
executive or legislative departments of the United States 
or any state or to any co-ordinate department. In all con- 
troversies to which the United States and a foreign nation 
shall be parties, the international court shall have original 
jurisdiction. 

No duties not judicial in their nature shall be imposed 
on any judge or justice or any court; and unconstitutional 
laws and decrees shall not be regarded in any court. 

The trial of all crimes, except in cases of impeachment, 
shall be by jury; and such trial shall be held in the state 
where the said crimes shall have been committed ; but when 
not committed within any state, the trial shall be at such 
place or places as the congress may by law have directed. 

11 



1 

( 



Section 3. Treason against the United States shall con- 
sist only in levying war against them, or in adhering to 
their enemies, giving them aid and comfort. No person shall 
be convicted of treason unless on the testimony of two wit- 
nesses to the same overt act or on confession in open court. 

The congress shall have power to declare the punishment 
of treason, but no attainder of treason shall work corrup- 
tion of blood, a forfeiture except during the life of the per- 
son attainted. 

ARTICLE IV. 

Section 1. Full faith and credit shall be given in each 
state to the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of 
every other state. And the congress may by general laws 
prescribe the manner in which such acts, records and pro- 
ceedings shall be proved and the effect thereof. 

Section 2. The citizens of each state shall be entitled to 
all privileges and immunities of citizens in the several states. 

A person charged in any state with treason, felony, or 
other crimes, who shall flee from justice, and be found in 
another state, shall, on demand of the executive authority 
of the state from which he fled, be delivered up to be re- 
moved to the state having jurisdiction of the crime. 

In no case can the person surrendered be held or tried 
in the demanding state for any crime other than that for 
which extradition was granted until he has returned, or 
had an opportunity to return to the surrendering state. 
This provision does not apply to crimes or offences commit- 
ted after extradition has taken place. 

Section 3. New states may be admitted by the congress 
into this Union ; but no new state shall be formed or erected 
within the jurisdiction of any other state; nor any state be 
formed by the junction of two or more states, or parts of 
\ states, without the consent of the legislature of the states 
concerned as well as of the congress. 

The congress shall have power to dispose of and make all 
needful rules and regulations respecting the territory of 
other property belonging to the United States; and nothing 
^ in this constitution shall be so construed as to prejudice any 
claims of the United States, or of any particular state. 

12 



Section 4. The United States shall guarantee to every 
state in this Union a republican form of government, and 
shall protect each of them against invasion, and on applica- 
tion of the legislature, and of the executive (when the legis- 
lature cannot be convened) against domestic violence. 

ARTICLE V. 

The congress, whenever two-thirds of both houses shall 
deem it necessary, shall propose amendments to this constitu- 
tion, or, on the application of the legislature of two-thirds of 
the several states, shall call a convention for proposing 
amendments, which, in either case, shall be valid to all in- 
tents and purposes, as part of this constitution when ratified 
by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several states, or 
by conventions in three-fourths thereof, as the one or the 
other mode of ratification may be proposed by congress ; pro- 
vided that no state, without its consent, shall be deprived of 
its equal suffrage in the senate. 

ARTICLE VL 

All debts contracted and engagements entered into be- 
fore the adoption of this constitution, shall be valid against 
the United States under this constitution, as before. 

This constitution, and the laws of the United States 
which shall be made in pursuance thereof, and all decrees 
made and promulgated by the council of viceroys and 
vice-presidents and the house of under-secretaries of state, 
and deputy-ministers of state for foreign affairs, shall be 
the supreme law of the land; and the judges in every state 
shall be bound thereby, anything in the constitution or laws 
of any state to the contrary notwithstanding. 

The senators and representatives before mentioned, and 
the members of the several state legislatures, and all execu- 
tive and judicial officers, both of the United States and of 
the several states, shall be bound by oath or affirmation, to 
support this constitution; but no religious test shall ever 
be required as a qualification to any office of public trust 
under the United States. 

* 13 



ARTICLE VII. 

The ratification of the conventions of thirty-one states 
shall be sufficient for the establishment of this constitution 
between the states so ratifying the same. 

ARTICLES 

In addition to, and amendment of, 

The constitution of the United States of America, pro- 
posed by congress and ratified by the legislatures of the 
several states, pursuant to the fifth article of the original 
constitution : — 

ARTICLE I. 

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment 
of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridg- 
ing the freedom of speech, or of the press; or of the right 
of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the gov- 
ernment for a redress of grievances. 

ARTICLE II. 

A well regulated militia being necessary to the security 
of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms 
shall not be infringed. 

ARTICLE III. 

No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any 
house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, 
but in a manner to be prescribed by law. 

ARTICLE IV. 

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, 
houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches 
and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall 
issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirma- 
tion, and particularly describing the place to be searched, 
and the persons or things to be seized. 

ARTICLE V. 

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or other- 
wise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment 

14 



of a gi'and jury, except in cases arising in the militia, when 
in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall 
any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put 
in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any 
criminal case to be a witness against himself, but the prose- 
cuting officer may point out and the jury may consider 
that he did not testify in his own behalf; nor be deprived 
of life, liberty or property, without due process of law; nor 
shall private property be taken for public use, without just 
compensation. 

AKTICLE VI. 

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the 
right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of 
the state and district wherein the crime shall have been 
committed, which district shall have been previously ascer- 
tained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause 
of the accusation ; to be confronted with the witnesses against 
him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in 
his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his de- 
fence. 

ARTICLE VII. 

In suits at common law, where the value in controversy 
shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall 
be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury shall be otherwise 
re-examined in any court of the United States than accord- 
ing to the rules of the common law. 

ARTICLE VIII. 

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines 
imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. 

ARTICLE IX. 

The enumeration in the constitution of certain rights 
shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained 
by the people. 

ARTICLE X. 

The powers not delegated to the United States by the 
constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are re- 
served to the states respectively, or to the people. 

* 15 



ARTICLE XL 
ARTICLE XII. 

See Article II, Section 1, on Page 7. 

ARTICLE XIII. 

SectioH 1. Xeither slavery nor involuntary servitude, 
except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall 
have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United 
States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction. 

Section 2. Congress shall have power to enforce this ar- 
ticle by appropriate legislation. 

ARTICLE XIV. 

Section 1. All i)ersons born or naturalized in the United 
States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens 
of the United States and of the state wherein they reside. 
No st^te shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge 
the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; 
nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or 
property, without due process of law, nor deny to any per- 
son within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. 

Section 2. Representatives shall be apportioned among 
the several states according to their respective numbers, 
counting the whole number of persons in each state, exclud- 
ing Indians not taxed. But when the right to vote at any 
election for the choice of electors for president and vice- 
president of the United States, representatives in congress, 
the executive and judicial officers of a state, or the mem- 
bers of the legislature thereof, is denied to any of the male 
inhabitants of such state, being twenty-five years of age, 
and citizens of the United States, or in any way abridged, 
except for participation in rebellion or other crime, the basis 
of representation therein shall be reduced in the proportion 
which the number of such citizens shall bear to the whole 
number of citizens twenty-five years of age in each state. 

Section 3. Xo person shall be a senator, or represen- 
tative in congress, or elector of president and vice-presi- 
dent, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United 
States, or under any state, who, having previously taken an 

16 



oath, as a member of congress, or as any officer of the United 
States, or as a member of any state legislature, or as an 
executive or judicial officer of any state, to support the con- 
stitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insur- 
rection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or com- 
fort to the enemies thereof. But congress may, by a vote of 
two- thirds of each ihouse, remove such disability. 

Section 4. The validity of the public debt of the United 
States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for pay- 
ment of pensions and bounties for service in suppressing 
insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned. 

But neither the United States, nor any state, shall as- 
sume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insur- 
rection or rebellion against the United States, or any claim 
for the loss of emancipation of any slave; but all such 
debts, obligations, and claims shall be held illegal and 
void. 

Section 5. The congress sihall have power to enforce by 
appropriate legislation the provision of this article. 

AETICLE XV. 

Section 1. The right of citizens of the United States to 
vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States, 
or by any state, on account of race, color, or previous con- 
dition of servitude. 

Section 2. The congress shall have power to enforce 
this article by appropriate legislation. 

ARTICLE XVI. 

The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes 
on income, from whatever source derived, except the agen- 
cies, instrumentalities, or obligations of the several states, 
without apportionment among them, and without regard to 
any census or enumeration. 

ARTICLE XVIL 

Section 2. When vacancies shall happen in the repre- 
sentation of any state in the Senate, the executive authority 
of such state shall issue writs of election to fill such vacan- 
cies, until the people fill the vacancies by election. 

* 17 



Section 3. This amendment shall not be so construed 
as to affect the election or term of any senator chosen before 
it shall become valid as part of the constitution. 



This pamphlet has been copyrighted for the purpose of 
raising funds in the cause of international peace. Any news- 
paper or periodical or publication of any character may ob- 
tain permission to reprint once the whole or any part of 
the foregoing by paying thirty (|30) dollars in advance to 
the undersigned for the privilege. Any sum so received 
will be used in furtherance of the cause of international 
peace as the author sees it. 

New York, May 24, 1915. 

Eustace Reynolds. 



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